Automotive Vehicle Open Air System

ABSTRACT

An open air system for an automotive vehicle includes a moveable roof panel and can include a single pair of guide tracks that extends along the vehicle through which the moveable roof member travels. A backlite of the open air system and the roof panel can have a similar transverse contour. A seal member can define a boundary between a dry area and a wet area and the guide tracks can be positioned outside of the seal member in the wet area. A wind deflecting assembly can be included and can have a wind deflector moveable between a retracted position and a raised position and can be automatically actuated by a drive member that drives movement of the roof panel. The open air system can be a modular open air system that can be installed into a vehicle as a modular unit.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to automotive vehicles and, moreparticularly, to open air systems for automotive vehicles.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Automotive vehicles come in a variety of shapes, sizes andconfigurations. To provide a more pleasing driving experience, someautomotive vehicles include a sunroof or moveable roof panels. A sunroofand moveable roof panels are collectively referred to herein as “roofpanels.” The moveable roof panels may be capable of tilting to provideextra ventilation for the interior vehicle and/or may be capable ofmoving between a position corresponding to providing an enclosed spacefor the passenger seating area and a position wherein an opening of thevehicle roof is realized to provide an open air driving experience. Suchsystems may be referred to as automotive vehicle open air systems. Itcan be desirable for the automotive vehicle open air system to be of asimple design and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.Additionally, it could be advantageous if the open air system can beinstalled as a modular unit. Moreover, it would be advantageous if theopen air system were economical to manufacture.

An automotive vehicle open air system according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure includes an opening, first and second guide tracks, aroof panel, and first and second pairs of guide members. The opening haslongitudinally extending first and second sides that are transverselyspaced apart. The first guide track extends longitudinally along thefirst side of the opening. The second guide track extends longitudinallyalong the second side of the opening. The roof panel is moveablerelative to the opening between a first position covering the openingand a second position exposing at least a portion of the opening. Theroof panel has longitudinally extending first and second sides that aretransversely spaced apart. The first pair of guide members is coupled tothe first side of the roof panel and engaged with the first guide track.The second pair of guide members is coupled to the second side of theroof panel and engaged with the second guide track. The first and secondpairs of guide members each include front and rear guide members coupledrespectively to front and rear portions of the roof panel on therespective first and second sides of the roof panel. The first andsecond pairs of guide members move along the respective first and secondguide tracks as the roof panel moves between the first and secondpositions. The use of a single guide track on each side of the vehiclecan provide a simpler mechanism and may be easier and morecost-efficient to manufacture than a traditional two-piece guide trackconfiguration.

In another aspect, an automotive vehicle open air system includes afixed roof member, a backlite, and a moveable roof assembly. Thebacklite is disposed in the fixed roof member and has a first transversecontour. The roof assembly includes a roof panel moveable in a fore andaft direction relative to the fixed roof member between first and secondpositions. A majority of the roof panel is forward of the backlite whenin the first position, and a portion of the roof panel is disposed abovea portion of the backlite when in the second position. The roof panelhas a second transverse contour. The first transverse contour of thebacklite and the second transverse contour of the roof panel aresubstantially similar. The substantially similar contours can allow forcloser nesting of the roof panel above the backlite. The substantialsimilar contours arrangement can also provide an aesthetically pleasingappearance for the vehicle.

In yet another aspect, an automotive vehicle open air system includes afixed roof member, at least one guide track, a backlite, and a moveableroof assembly. The moveable roof assembly includes a roof panel, atleast one guide member, and a longitudinally extending seal member. Theat least one guide member is coupled to the roof panel and moves alongthe at least one guide track with the movement of the roof panel betweenfirst and second positions. The longitudinally extending seal member issealingly engaged with the roof panel when in the first position and isdisengaged from the roof panel when in the second position. The sealmember defines a boundary between a dry area and a wet area. The atleast one guide track is positioned outside of the seal member in thewet area. The positioning of the guide track may allow for larger openair or open roof space above the passenger compartment.

In still another aspect, an automotive vehicle open air system includesa fixed roof member, a track, a roof panel, a drive member, and a winddeflecting assembly. The roof panel is longitudinally moveable relativeto the fixed roof member between a closed position and an open position.The drive member is coupled to the roof panel and moves along the track,driving movement of the roof panel between the open and closedpositions. The wind deflecting assembly is coupled to the fixed roofmember and includes a wind deflector and a biasing member. The winddeflector is moveably coupled to the fixed roof member and moveablebetween a retracted position and a raised position. The biasing memberbiases the wind deflector to the raised position. A portion of the drivemember engages and disengages with the biasing member during movementalong the track and causes the wind deflector to move between the raisedand retracted positions. Such simple yet highly effective design makesthe operation of the wind deflector easy and may lower manufacturing andinstallation cost.

In yet another aspect, a modular automotive vehicle open air systemincludes a frame, a backlite, an opening, and a moveable roof assembly.The frame has an outer periphery. The backlite is fixedly mounted in theframe. The opening is through the frame forward of the backlite. Themoveable roof assembly is coupled to the frame and includes at least oneroof panel moveable in a fore and aft direction relative to the framebetween first and second positions. The first position covers theopening and the second position exposes the opening. The frame, thebacklite, and the moveable roof assembly are adapted to be installed inthe vehicle as a modular unit. The modular system can facilitateassembly into the vehicle and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

According to another aspect, a method of operating an automotive vehicleopen air system includes: positioning a moveable roof panel in a firstposition covering a roof opening; changing a position of the roof panelby moving front and rear guide members coupled to the roof panel along alongitudinally extending guide track that extends continuously along theopening and rearward of the opening; and positioning the roof panel in asecond position exposing at least a portion of the opening and extendingover at least a portion of a fixed backlite located rearward of theopening.

According to still another aspect, a method of installing a modularautomotive vehicle open air system onto an automotive vehicle includes:(a) preassembling the backlite and the moveable roof assembly to theframe at a first station removed from the vehicle; and (b) assemblingthe modular open air system at a second station onto the vehicle.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive vehicle having an open airsystem constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure with a moveable roof panel in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automotive vehicle having the openair system of FIG. 1 with the roof panel in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of the open air system ofFIG. 1 illustrating the roof panel in the closed position in solid lineand in the fully open position in phantom;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a moveable roof assembly ofthe open air system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmented cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmented cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of a front camming block coupled to aguide track of the open air system of FIG. 1 illustrating a front guidemember disposed in a front camming surface (closed position shown insolid line) and in the guide track (open position shown in phantom);

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view of a rear camming block coupled tothe guide track of FIG. 9 illustrating a rear guide member disposed in arear camming surface (closed position shown in solid line) and in theguide track (open position shown in phantom);

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wind deflecting assemblyof the open air system of FIG. 1 with a wind deflector in its raisedposition and with various components of the open air system removed forclarity;

FIG. 12 is a close-up view of the wind deflecting assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the wind deflectingassembly of the open air system of FIG. 11 with the wind deflector inits retracted position;

FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-sectional view along line 14-14 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the automotive vehicle openair system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the automotive vehicle open air systemof FIG. 15 being assembled onto the vehicle as a modular assembly;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a method of installing theautomotive vehicle open air system of FIG. 15 as a modular assembly ontothe automotive vehicle; and

FIG. 18 is a fragmented perspective view of an alternate arrangement ofthe wind deflecting assembly with various components removed forclarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

When describing the various embodiments of vehicle and open air systemherein, at times only one side of vehicle and/or open air system may beshown or discussed. It should be appreciated, however, that the otherside is essentially a mirrored image of the one discussed andillustrated. Moreover, as used herein, the term “fore” and “aft”,“front” and “rear”, and “longitudinal”, may be used to refer to adirection corresponding to extending from the front of the vehicletoward the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the term “transverse”refers to a cross-vehicle direction and is generally orthogonal to thelongitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the terms “outside,”“inside,” “outward,” and “inward” refer to the position relative to thelongitudinal center axis of the vehicle. Finally, when describingsimilar features of the various embodiments herein, like referenceindicia may be used to describe the similar features.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6 and 15-16, an automotive vehicle open airsystem 2 for an automotive vehicle 3 can include an opening 4 defined bya frame 5, a first guide track 6 and a second guide track 8, a roofpanel 10 fixedly coupled to a reinforcement carriage 9, a first pair ofguide members 12, and a second pair of guide members 14. Guide members12, 14 are attached to extensions of carriage 9. Frame 5 includes firstand second longitudinally extending members 11, 13, and transverselyextending members which can include a front header 19, a rear header 21,and an intermediate member 23. Opening 4 can be above a passenger area15 of vehicle 3 and can have a longitudinally extending first side 16and a longitudinally extending second side 18 that are transverselyspaced apart. First guide track 6 is disposed on first frame member 11and can extend longitudinally along first side 16 of opening 4. Secondguide track 8 is disposed on second frame member 13 and can extendlongitudinally along second side 18 of opening 4.

Roof panel 10 is moveable relative to opening 4 between a closedposition covering opening 4 and passenger area 15, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, and a fully open position exposing at least a portion of opening4 and passenger area 15, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, orintermediate positions therebetween. Carriage 9 and roof panel 10 movetogether. Roof panel 10 can have a longitudinally extending first side24 and a longitudinally extending second side 26 that are transverselyspaced apart. Frame 5, guide tracks 6 and 8, carriage 9, and first andsecond pairs of guide members 12 and 14 can be made of the same materialor different materials. By way of non-limiting example, frame 5 and thecomponents that make up frame 5 can be made from aluminum, magnesium,steel, and the like. Additionally, frame 5 and the components that makeup frame 5 can also be made from a polymeric material such as a sheetmolded compound and the like. Roof panel 10 can be made of transparentor translucent glass or polymer.

With specific reference to FIG. 6, first pair of guide members 12 can becoupled to carriage 9 adjacent first side 24 of roof panel 10 andengaged with first guide track 6. Second pair of guide members 14 can becoupled to carriage 9 adjacent second side 26 of roof panel 10 andengaged with second guide track 8. First pair of guide members 12 caninclude front guide member 12 a and rear guide member 12 b coupledrespectively to carriage 9 adjacent front portion 28 and rear portion 30of roof panel 10. Second pair of guide members 14 can include frontguide member 14 a and rear guide member 14 b coupled respectively tocarriage 9 adjacent front portion 28 and rear portion 30 of roof panel10. First pair of guide members 12 a and 12 b and second pair of guidemembers 14 a and 14 b can move along respective first and second guidetracks 6 and 8 as roof panel 10 moves between closed and open positions.It can be appreciated that the guide members can be rollers, sliders, orany other kind that can move along the respective guide tracks withwhich they are engaged.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10, first and second guidetracks 6 and 8 can each include a front camming surface 32 a and a rearcamming surfaces 32 b that change a vertical elevation of roof panel 10as first and second pairs of guide members 12 a, 12 b, and 14 a, 14 bmove along respective first and second guide tracks 6 and 8. First andsecond pairs of guide members 12 and 14 are disposed in camming surfaces32 a, 32 b when roof panel 10 is in closed position. First and secondpairs of guide members 12 and 14 are disposed in respective first andsecond guide tracks 6 and 8 (as shown in phantom in FIGS. 9-10) out ofcamming surfaces 32 a, 32 b during a majority of the movement of roofpanel 10 between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, open air system 2 can further include afixed backlite 40. At least a portion of roof panel 10 can be disposedabove backlite 40 when in the open position. First and second guidetracks 6 and 8 can extend longitudinally from adjacent front header 19to a rearward position adjacent backlite 40. Backlite 40 can be made oftransparent or translucent glass, a polymer, or other material.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15, open air system2 can further include a first drive track 42 and a second drive track 44extending longitudinally along first side 16 and second side 18 ofopening 4. Drive tracks 42, 44 can be disposed on first and second framemembers 11, 13, respectively. A first drive member 46 and a second drivemember 48 can be coupled to roof panel 10 by a link 49 and can travelalong respective first and second drive tracks 42 and 44. Movement ofdrive members 46 and 48 along drive tracks 42 and 44 can drive movementof roof panel 10 between closed and open positions.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 14, backlite 40 can have a first transversecontour 54 while roof panel 10 can have a second transverse contour 56.In the particular example provided, an entirety of roof panel 10 isforward of backlite 40 in the closed position and a majority portion ofroof panel 10 is disposed above backlite 40 in the fully open position.First transverse contour 54 of backlite 40 and second transverse contour56 of roof panel 10 can be substantially similar. Roof panel 10 can bespaced apart from backlite 40 in a direction normal to an exteriorsurface 58 of backlite 40 a uniform distance D throughout a transverseoverlap of roof panel 10 with backlite 40 when in the open position.First contour 54 can include a first radius of curvature R_(B) Ofbacklite 40. Second contour 56 can include a second radius of curvatureR_(P) of roof panel 10. First and second radii of curvatures R_(B) andR_(P) are substantially identical. The similar contours and radii ofcurvature allow close nesting of roof panel 10 above backlite 40 when inthe open position. The close nesting between roof panel 10 and backlite40 can decrease noise caused by wind passing the gap between roof panel10 and backlite 40 when operating vehicle, can decrease overall airresistance and thus in turn may improve fuel efficiency, and can makeopen air system on the vehicle more compact and more appealing.

With reference to FIGS. 7-10, guide track 6 includes a groove 72 thatguide member 12 is disposed in and travels along. A seal member 64 isdisposed on frame 5 and extends longitudinally between guide members 12,14 and drive tracks 42, 44. Seal member 64 is sealingly engaged withroof panel 10 when in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, and isdisengaged from roof panel 10 when in the open position, as shown inFIG. 8. Seal member 64 can define a boundary between a dry area 68 and awet area 70. Frame 5 can have a recessed fluid collecting section 78(e.g., a trough) in which seal member 64 is disposed. Fluid collectingsection 78 can collect fluids, such as water, from wet area 70 anddirect the fluid to one or more desired discharge locations. Guide track6 can be positioned outside of seal member 64 in wet area 70. A majorityof guide member 12 can be located outside of seal member 64 in wet area70. Drive track 42 can be disposed inwardly of seal member 64 in dryarea 68 and can also be disposed inwardly of fluid collecting section78. With specific reference to FIGS. 7-8, a sunscreen guide track 43 canbe coupled to drive track 42. A conventional sunscreen (not shown) canbe coupled to sunscreen guide track 43 and move in the fore and aftdirection.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, and 11-13, automotive vehicle open airsystem 2 can include a wind deflecting assembly 86 coupled to frontheader 19. Wind deflecting assembly 86 can include a wind deflector 88and a biasing member 90. Wind deflector 88 can be moveably coupled tofront header 19 and is moveable between a retracted position at leastpartially disposed below roof panel 10, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and13, and a raised position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 (in phantom), 11,and 12. In the example provided, wind deflector 88 can be pivotallycoupled to front header 19 and can pivot between the retracted andraised positions. Biasing member 90 biases wind deflector 88 to raisedposition.

Biasing member 90 can extend longitudinally along first frame member 11such that a portion of drive member 46 can engage and disengage withbiasing member 90 during movement along drive track 42 and cause winddeflector 88 to move between the raised and retracted positions. Biasingmember 90 can take a variety of forms. By way of non-limiting example,biasing member 90 can be a leaf spring coupled to wind deflector 88 andcoupled adjacent drive track 42.

Drive member 46 can engage with leaf spring 90 and move a portion ofleaf spring 90 downward when moving roof panel 10 from the open positionto the closed position. Wind deflector 88 can be in the raised positionwhen the portion of drive member 46 is disengaged from biasing member90. Thus, a portion of drive member 46 can engage with biasing member 90and cause wind deflector 88 to move between the raised and retractedpositions as drive member 46 moves along drive track 42 and drivesmovement of roof panel 10 between the open and closed positions.

Referring to FIG. 18, an alternate arrangement for wind deflectingassembly 86 and open air system 2 is shown. In this embodiment, biasingmember 90 is disposed adjacent the guide track and is outside of theseal that separates wet area 70 and dry area 68. Carriage 9 includes anextension or projection 92 that engages and disengages with biasingmember 90 during movement of roof panel 10 between the open and closedpositions, in a manner similar to that described above with reference todrive member 46. Thus, a portion of carriage 9 can engage with biasingmember 90 and cause wind deflector 88 to move between the raised andretracted positions as roof panel 10 moves between the open and closedpositions.

Open air system 2 can further include a drive system 118, which has anactuator 80 disposed in front header 19 or intermediate member 23 andcoupled to drive members 46, 48 through drive cables 110, 115. Actuator80 drives movement of drive cables 110, 115 which in turn drive drivemembers 46, 48 along drive tracks 42, 44, respectively. Drive System 118can also have a switch (not shown) to control operation of the system.

Frame 5 can have a front portion and a rear portion. Front portion offrame 5 includes the front portions of frame members 11, 13, frontheader 19, and intermediate member 23. Seal member 64 can extend alongthe front portion of frame 5. A rear portion of frame 5 includes rearportions of frame members 11, 13, rear header 21, and intermediatemember 23. Frame 5 can include a rear seal member 114 that extends alongframe 5 and seals against backlite 40, rear edge of roof panel 10, andtrim members 111, 112.

With specific reference to FIGS. 3 and 15, moveable roof assembly 52 canalso include two cover trim members 111, 112 coupled to frame members 11and 13, respectively, and disposed above first and second guide tracks 6and 8, respectively, to cover them.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the modular aspect of automotivevehicle open air system 2 is shown. Backlite 40 can be fixedly mountedin frame 5. With specific reference to FIG. 16, frame 5, backlite 40,and moveable roof assembly 52 can be installed in vehicle 3 as anassembled modular unit.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a method of operating automotive vehicleopen air system 2 can include positioning moveable roof panel 10 in aclosed position covering roof opening 4. A position of roof panel 10 canbe changed by moving front and rear guide members 12 a and 12 b coupledto roof panel 10 along longitudinally extending guide track 6 which canextend continuously along opening 4 and rearward of opening 4. Roofpanel 10 can be positioned in the open position exposing at least aportion of opening 4 and extending over at least a portion of fixedbacklite 40 located rearward of opening 4. With specific reference toFIGS. 9 and 10, changing the position of roof panel 10 can includechanging an elevation of roof panel 10 by moving front and rear guidemembers 14 a and 14 b into and out of respective front and rear cammingsurfaces 34 a and 34 b in guide track 8 when moving roof panel 10 fromclosed position toward open position.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6 and 11-13, changing the position of roofpanel 10 can also include moving drive member 46 coupled to roof panel10 along drive track 42. Movement of drive member 46 can drive movementof roof panel 10 between the closed and open positions. Moving roofpanel 10 from the closed position to the open position can allow winddeflector 88 to move from the lowered stored position to the raisedoperable position with drive member 46 disengaging with biasing member90. Positioning roof panel 10 in the closed position can include movingwind deflector 88 from the raised operable position to lowered storedposition with drive member 46 engaging with and moving biasing member 90that biases wind deflector 88 to raised position.

With reference to FIGS. 15-17, the method of installing modularautomotive vehicle open air system 2 onto automotive vehicle 3 caninclude assembling the modular automotive vehicle open air system 2 at afirst station which is removed from the vehicle, as indicated in block120. Assembling the modular open air system 2 can include attachingbacklite 40 and seal member 114 to frame 5. Additionally, moveable roofassembly 52 along with seal member 64 and drive system 118 can becoupled to frame 5 at the first station. Wind deflecting assembly 86 canalso be coupled to frame 5 at the first station. In some embodiments,trim members 111, 112 can also be attached at the first station. Inother embodiments, trim members 111, 112 are attached after open airsystem 2 is coupled to vehicle 3. With the modular open air system 2assembled, the open air system 2 can be attached onto vehicle 3 at asecond station, such as the final assembly line, by way of non-limitingexample, as indicated in block 122. When attaching modular open airsystem 2 onto vehicle 3, the electrical connections for drive system 118are also performed. Modular open air system 2 can be attached to frame 5through the use of adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment, it should be appreciated that the various featuresand functions disclosed therein can be combined, altered and/or removedwithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, although allof the benefits may not be realized. For example, frame 5 can be made ofmultiple individual components that are coupled together or a singleintegral component. Guide tracks 6, 8 can be separate components orintegrated with frame 5 side members 11, 13. Similarly, drive tracks 42can be separate components or integrated with frame 5 side members 11,13. Guide tracks 6, 8 and drive tracks 42 could all be in a dry area.Moreover, while open air system 2 is shown as a modular unit, it may becapable of being a non-modular assembly although all of the benefits maynot be realized. In addition, the dimensions, shapes, kinematics, andorientations of the various components can differ from that shown basedon the design of the vehicle and the desired design of the open airsystem 2, although all of the benefits may not be realized. Furthermore,additional garnishes or trim pieces can be employed to the open airsystem 2 to provide a desired aesthetic appearance and/or to enhancemanagement of water flow.

The foregoing description of the invention is merely exemplary in natureand has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individualelements or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from theinvention, and all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the invention.

1. An automotive vehicle open air system comprising: an opening havinglongitudinally extending first and second sides that are transverselyspaced apart; a first guide track extending longitudinally along thefirst side of the opening; a second guide track extending longitudinallyalong the second side of the opening; a roof panel moveable relative tothe opening between a first position covering the opening and a secondposition exposing at least a portion of the opening, the roof panelhaving longitudinally extending first and second sides that aretransversely spaced apart; a first pair of guide members coupled to thefirst side of the roof panel and engaged with the first guide track; anda second pair of guide members coupled to the second side of the roofpanel and engaged with the second guide track, wherein the first andsecond pairs of guide members each include front and rear guide memberscoupled respectively to front and rear portions of the roof panel on therespective first and second sides of the roof panel, and the first andsecond pairs of guide members move along the respective first and secondguide tracks as the roof panel moves between the first and secondpositions.
 2. The open air system of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond guide tracks each include front and rear camming surfaces thatchange a vertical elevation of the roof panel as the first and secondpairs of guide members move along the respective first and secondtracks.
 3. The open air system of claim 2, wherein the first and secondpairs of guide members are disposed in the camming surfaces when theroof panel is in the first position.
 4. The open air system of claim 2,wherein the first and second pairs of guide members are disposed in therespective first and second guide tracks away from the camming surfacesduring a majority of the movement of the roof panel between a fully openposition and a fully closed position.
 5. The open air system of claim 1,further comprising a fixed backlite and wherein at least a portion ofthe roof panel is disposed above the backlite when in the secondposition.
 6. The open air system of claim 5, wherein the first andsecond guide tracks extend longitudinally adjacent the backlite.
 7. Theopen air system of claim 1, further comprising: first and second drivetracks extending longitudinally along the first and second sides of theopening; and first and second drive members coupled to the roof paneland traveling along the respective first and second drive tracks,wherein movement of the drive members along the drive tracks drivesmovement of the roof panel between the first and second positions.
 8. Anautomotive vehicle open air system comprising: a fixed roof member; atleast one guide track extending along the fixed roof member; a backlitedisposed in the fixed roof member, the backlite having a firsttransverse contour; and a moveable roof assembly coupled to the fixedroof member, the roof assembly including: a roof panel moveable in afore and aft direction relative to the fixed roof member between firstand second positions, a majority of the roof panel being forward of thebacklite when in the first position, and a portion of the roof panelbeing disposed above a portion of the backlite when in the secondposition, the roof panel having a second transverse contour; and atleast one guide member coupled to the roof panel and engaged with the atleast one guide track, the at least one guide member moving along the atleast one guide track with movement of the roof panel between the firstand second positions, wherein the first transverse contour of thebacklite and the second transverse contour of the roof panel aresubstantially similar.
 9. The open air system of claim 8, wherein theroof panel is spaced apart from the backlite in a direction normal to anexterior surface of the backlite a uniform distance throughout atransverse overlap of the roof panel with the backlite when in thesecond position.
 10. The open air system of claim 8, wherein an entiretyof the roof panel is forward of the backlite in the first position and amajority portion of the roof panel is disposed above the backlite in thesecond position.
 11. The open air system of claim 8, wherein the firstcontour includes a first radius of curvature of the backlite, the secondcontour includes a second radius of curvature of the roof panel, and thefirst and second radius of curvatures are substantially identical. 12.The open air system of claim 8, wherein the backlite is fixed relativeto the fixed roof member.
 13. An automotive vehicle open air systemcomprising: a fixed roof member; at least one guide track extendingalong the fixed roof member; a backlite disposed in the fixed roofmember; a moveable roof assembly coupled to the fixed roof member, theroof assembly including: a roof panel moveable in a fore and aftdirection relative to the fixed roof member between first and secondpositions; at least one guide member coupled to a front portion of theroof panel and engaged with the at least one guide track, the at leastone guide member moving along the at least one guide track with themovement of the roof panel between the first and second positions; and alongitudinally extending seal member sealingly engaged with the roofpanel when in the first position and being disengaged from the roofpanel when in the second position, the seal member defining a boundarybetween a dry area and a wet area, wherein the at least one guide trackis positioned outside of the seal member in the wet area.
 14. The openair system of claim 13, wherein the at least one guide track has a trackgroove and the at least one guide member is disposed in and travelsalong the track groove.
 15. The open air system of claim 13, wherein theat least one guide member extends outwardly beyond the roof panel. 16.The open air system of claim 13, wherein a majority of the at least oneguide member is located outside of the seal member in the wet area. 17.The open air system of claim 13, further comprising: at least one drivetrack disposed inwardly of the seal member in the dry area; and a drivemember disposed in the at least one drive track and coupled to the roofpanel, movement of the drive member along the at least one drive trackdriving movement of the roof panel between the first and secondpositions.
 18. The open air system of claim 17, further comprising anactuator coupled to the drive member and driving movement of the drivemember along the at least one drive track.
 19. The open air system ofclaim 13, further comprising: a fluid collecting member extending alongthe fixed roof member with at least a portion of the fluid collectingmember extending inwardly from the fixed roof member and disposed belowthe backlite and the roof panel, wherein the seal member is disposed inand sealingly engaged with at least a section of the fluid collectingmember, and the at least one guide member is positioned outside thefluid collecting member.
 20. The open air system of claim 13, furthercomprising: at least one drive track disposed inwardly of the fluidcollecting member; and a drive member disposed in the at least one drivetrack and coupled to the roof panel, movement of the drive member alongthe at least one drive track driving movement of the roof panel betweenthe first and second positions, wherein the seal member extendslongitudinally along the fluid collecting member between the at leastone guide track and the at least one drive track.
 21. The open airsystem of claim 13, wherein the fluid collecting member is a trough. 22.An automotive vehicle open air system comprising: a fixed roof member; atrack; a roof panel longitudinally moveable relative to the fixed roofmember between a closed position and an open position; a drive membercoupled to the roof panel and moving along the track, movement of thedrive member along the track driving movement of the roof panel betweenthe open and closed positions; a carriage coupled to the roof panel andmoving with movement of the roof panel; a wind deflecting assemblycoupled to the fixed roof member, the wind deflecting assemblyincluding: a wind deflector moveably coupled to the fixed roof memberand moveable between a retracted position and a raised position; and abiasing member biasing the wind deflector to the raised position;wherein a portion of at least one of the drive member and the carriageengages and disengages with the biasing member during movement of thedrive member along the track and causes the wind deflector to movebetween the raised and retracted positions.
 23. The open air system ofclaim 22, wherein the wind deflector is in the raised position when theportion of at least one of the drive member and the carriage isdisengaged from the biasing member.
 24. The open air system of claim 22,wherein the wind deflector is in the raised position when the roof panelis in the open position.
 25. The open air system of claim 22, whereinthe wind deflector is pivotally coupled to the fixed roof member andpivots between the retracted and raised positions.
 26. The open airsystem of claim 22, wherein the biasing member is a spring.
 27. The openair system of claim 26, wherein the spring is a leaf spring coupled tothe wind deflector and coupled adjacent the track, and the portion ofthe drive member engages with the leaf spring and moves a portion of theleaf spring downward when moving the roof panel from the open positionto the closed position.
 28. The open air system of claim 27, wherein thetrack extends longitudinally and the leaf spring extends longitudinallyadjacent a portion of the track.
 29. The open air system of claim 22,wherein the portion of at least one of the drive member and the carriageengages with the biasing member and causes the deflector to move fromthe raised position to the retracted position as the drive member movesalong the track and drives movement of the roof panel from the openposition to the closed position.
 30. The open air system of claim 22,wherein at least a portion of the deflector is disposed below the roofpanel when in the retracted position.
 31. The open air system of claim22, wherein the portion of the drive member engages and disengages withthe biasing member and causes the wind deflector to move between theraised and retracted positions.
 32. The open air system of claim 22,wherein the portion of the carriage engages and disengages with thebiasing member and causes the wind deflector to move between the raisedand retracted positions.
 33. A modular automotive vehicle open airsystem comprising: a frame having an outer periphery; a backlite fixedlymounted in the frame; an opening through the frame forward of thebacklite; and a moveable roof assembly coupled to the frame, themoveable roof assembly including at least one roof panel moveable in afore and aft direction relative to the frame between first and secondpositions, the first position covering the opening and the secondposition exposing the opening; wherein the frame, the backlite, and themoveable roof assembly are adapted to be installed in the vehicle as amodular unit.
 34. The modular open air system of claim 33, wherein theframe includes at least one guide track, the moveable roof assemblyincludes at least one guide member coupled to the at least one roofpanel and engaged with the at least one guide track, and the at leastone guide member moves along the at least one guide track as the atleast one roof panel moves between the first and second positions. 35.The modular open air system of claim 34, wherein the frame includes atleast one drive track, the moveable roof assembly includes at least onedrive member coupled to the at least one roof panel and engaged with theat least one drive track, and the at least one drive member drivesmovement of the at least one roof panel between the first and secondpositions as the at least one drive member moves along the at least onedrive track.
 36. The modular open air system of claim 35 wherein themoveable roof assembly includes an actuator coupled to the frame and theat least one drive member, the actuator driving movement of the at leastone drive member along the at least one drive track.
 37. The modularopen air system of claim 35 wherein the moveable roof assembly includesa wind deflector coupled to the frame and operable between a raisedposition and a retracted position.
 38. The modular open air system ofclaim 33, wherein the frame includes a pair of longitudinally extendingside members and transversely extending front and rear headers extendingtherebetween.
 39. A method of operating an automotive vehicle open airsystem comprising: positioning a moveable roof panel in a first positioncovering a roof opening; changing a position of the roof panel by movingfront and rear guide members coupled to the roof panel along alongitudinally extending guide track that extends continuously along theopening and rearward of the opening; and positioning the roof panel in asecond position exposing at least a portion of the opening and extendingover at least a portion of a fixed backlite located rearward of theopening.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein changing a position of theroof panel includes changing an elevation of the roof panel by movingthe front and rear guide members out of respective front and rearcamming surfaces in the guide track when moving the roof panel from thefirst position toward the second position.
 41. The method of claim 39,wherein changing a position of the roof panel includes moving a drivemember coupled to the roof panel along a drive track, movement of thedrive member driving movement of the roof panel between the first andsecond positions.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein positioning theroof panel in the first position includes moving a wind deflector from araised operable position to a lowered stored position with a portion ofat least one of the drive member and a carriage coupled to the roofpanel engaging with and moving a biasing member that biases the winddeflector to the raised position.
 43. A method of installing a modularautomotive vehicle open air system onto an automotive vehicle whereinthe modular open air system includes a frame having an outer periphery,a backlite fixedly mounted in the frame and a moveable roof assemblyincluding at least one roof panel moveable in a fore and aft directionrelative to the frame between first and second positions, the methodcomprising: (a) preassembling the backlite and the moveable roofassembly to the frame at a first station removed from the vehicle; and(b) assembling the modular open air system at a second station onto thevehicle.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein step (b) further includescoupling the frame to the vehicle.
 45. The method of claim 44, whereinstep (b) includes coupling the frame to the vehicle so that the framesurrounds an opening in the vehicle.
 46. The method of claim 43, whereinstep (a) further includes preassembling a drive system to the frame andto the at least one roof panel, the drive system operable to drivemovement of the at least one roof panel between the first and secondpositions.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein step (b) includescoupling a power source to the drive system.
 48. The method of claim 44,wherein step (a) further includes coupling a moveable wind deflector tothe frame, the wind deflector being operable between a raised positionand a retracted position.
 49. The method of claim 44, wherein step (a)further includes coupling front and rear guide members on the at leastone roof panel to a guide track that extends longitudinally along amajority of the frame.